Are you getting ready for your first cruise? Wondering what to pack? Packing for a cruise is different from packing for a typical land vacation. Packing the right items will help you make the most of your cruise while saving you from overpriced purchases at the cruise gift shop.
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Travel Documents
Before you go on your cruise, make sure you have all the necessary travel documents. A valid passport is required for most international cruises, though some closed-loop cruises (those departing from and returning to the same U.S. port) may allow a birth certificate and government-issued ID instead. Check your cruise line’s requirements well in advance. Although it’s still safest to cruise with your passport, even if you’re technically not required to bring one.
Make sure to check your passport expiration. If it’s expired or expiring in less than 6 months, you may be denied boarding. Make sure you give yourself plenty of time to renew your passport.
In addition to your passport, bring printed copies of your cruise itinerary, and any shore excursion confirmations. You will also need to print out your cruise luggage tags before you board the cruise ship.
You should also bring your travel insurance documents, in case of unexpected medical emergencies. It’s a good idea to always have your travel insurance provider’s customer service number on hand.
For added security, keep a digital copy of your important documents on your phone or email in case you misplace the physical copies.
A RFID blocking passport holder will keep your passports safe. I also like this RFID blocking family passport holder that can hold multiple passports.
Daytime Cruise Attire
What you pack will largely depend on your cruise destination. If you’re going on a warm weather cruise such as a Caribbean cruise or Mexico cruise, you will want to pack casual and breathable clothes for the day. Lightweight shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, and skorts are great options for lounging on the deck, exploring ports, or relaxing by the pool. I like skorts with pockets.
Pick breathable fabrics like cotton and linen to stay cool. A swim cover-up is useful for transitioning between the pool or beach and other areas of the ship, and don’t forget a hat or baseball cap for sun protection.
Even though the weather may be warm, cruise ship interiors can be chilly due to air conditioning. Packing a light sweatshirt or sweater is a good idea, especially for indoor lounges and nighttime strolls on the deck.
You’ll also want to pack multiple bathing suits, especially for a longer cruise. Bringing extra will save you from constantly handwashing them (bring travel detergent). If you plan to swim daily, be sure to pack additional underwear as well, since you’ll likely be changing multiple times a day.
If you’re taking an Alaskan cruise, daytime attire requires additional layering since temperatures can be cold and many activities on Alaska cruises are outdoors. A fleece jacket, waterproof windbreaker, and gloves will help keep you comfortable.
You will also need winter jackets if you are doing outdoor activities in the cold, such as exploring glaciers. You will also want to dress appropriately for other outdoor shore excursions such as whale watching and kayaking.
Sunglasses are a must even if you’re going on an Alaska cruise. It’s also a good idea to bring a small backpack, to carry extra layers and any essentials while at cruise ports. I like this packable, lightweight backpack.
Evening Cruise Attire
Even though formal nights are optional, you’ll want to bring some dressier attire for evening wear while you’re on your cruise. Many cruise lines have optional formal nights, such as the captain’s dinner or gala night.
But don’t worry—formal nights on cruises are generally not overly formal. Most passengers wear cocktail dresses, dressy tops with skirts, or pant suits, while only a minority wear formal gowns.
Men should pack collared shirts, dress pants, and a blazer or suit for formal nights. Even if you prefer a more casual style, it’s still a good idea to have stylish yet comfortable outfits for dinner and evening entertainment. An easy packing hack is to bring a blazer. It’s a versatile piece—it can be worn over a button-down shirt or even a t-shirt to instantly dress up any outfit.
A shawl or pashmina can help keep you warm in air-conditioned dining areas, and an evening bag or clutch is perfect for carrying essentials.
Footwear
Having the right shoes can make a big difference in your cruise experience. Flip-flops are essential for poolside lounging and beach days, and they also double as convenient slippers in your cabin.
If you’re heading to the beach, water shoes are a must to protect your feet from rocky shores and are ideal for excursions like snorkeling and kayaking.
Comfortable sneakers are essential for exploring ports on foot. You will also want sneakers for when you go to the gym during sea days. Make sure you bring a well-cushioned sneakers or walking shoes to keep your feet comfortable.
For evenings, pack a pair of dressy shoes that complement your formal or semi-formal outfits. Make sure you wear comfortable heels or stylish flats since you’ll be walking around the ship after dinner, which may involve stairs or long corridors.
Men should bring dress shoes that match their evening attire. If you plan on dancing or walking around the ship after dinner, wear comfortable shoes.
Cruise Packing List: Accessories
You will need to pack cruise accessories, to make your trip smoother. Sunglasses are a must-have for sunny days, and a mesh laundry bag will help keep your cabin tidy. Electronics like phones, tablets, and e-readers can keep you entertained during sea days, but don’t forget chargers and external batteries.
A power strip (cruise-approved, non-surge protected) is helpful since cabins often have limited outlets. Do know that some cruise lines will not allow non-surge power strips, they only allow USB charger blocks. You will need to check with your cruise line’s policy to find out exactly what is allowed on the cruise ship.
Sunblock with a high SPF is essential for Caribbean and Alaska cruises since you will be spending a lot of time outdoors. And don’t forget a lip balm with SPF protection as well.
I also suggest you bring resealable plastic bags. They will come in handy for storing wet swimsuits, protecting electronics, and carrying snacks.
You’ll also want to make sure you bring cruise lanyards. Having lanyards will make your life easier since you are not constantly having to search for your cruise card every time you buy something on the cruise or when you go through security to get on and off the cruise ship.
A waterproof camera is great for capturing memories both above and below the water. This compact GoPro is a great value (cheaper than the regular GoPros) if you just want a waterproof camcorder that can capture action shots. I like that it has a built-in video stabilizer, which ensures smooth footage and prevents that dizzy feeling when watching your home videos.
If you’re traveling with kids, a set of walkie-talkies can be a fun way to communicate on the ship. I like these kids walkie talkies.
Lost luggage and delayed luggage are pretty common. For peace of mind, I suggest getting airtags to track your luggage whereabouts.
If you’re flying to your cruise port, bringing a portable luggage scale is a smart idea. It will help you weigh your luggage beforehand and avoid any overweight baggage fees.
Accessories to Save You Money
If you plan on snorkeling, bringing your gear can save you money and ensure you have equipment that fits well. If you are cruising with kids, bring beach toys so you don’t have to buy one at the beach. These foldable travel beach toys are great.
You should also pack a refillable water bottle so you don’t have to buy water bottles on cruises. They can cost over $5 per bottle! With a refillable water bottle, you can easily go to the buffet beverage dispenser and get water for free. I like this water bottle because you can refill without removing the lid, and it’s sip and chug (no straws to wash).
Essentials for Shore Excursions
When you go ashore, you’ll want a tote or beach bag to carry essentials like towels, sunscreen, water, and extra clothes. I like this waterproof beach tote because it has a zippered closure and side pocket for water bottles.
Beach chair towel clips will keep your towel in place on windy beaches. For a less bulky towel clip option, I like these towel bands.
If you’re visiting areas with mosquitoes, pack bug spray to avoid bites (bring when you go on a Mediterranean cruise, Venice has a lot of mosquitoes!) I like these convenient bug spray wipes.
A waterproof phone case will keep your device safe from water and sand while at the beach. Another option is a waterproof fanny pack that will fit more than just your cellphone.
If you’re going on an Alaska cruise, binoculars are a must for wildlife spotting. They’re also great for taking in scenic views from your balcony and spotting distant islands from the cruise ship. You will want a compact binocular so it doesn’t take up much space in your luggage.
What to Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On Bag
Since your checked luggage may take a few hours to arrive in your cabin on embarkation day, pack a small carry-on bag with essentials. Include a bathing suit if you plan to swim right away, along with sunblock, a change of clothes, and any medications you might need. If you’re traveling with kids, pack electronics or books to keep them entertained.
7 Day Caribbean Cruise Wardrobe
Here is an example of what to pack on a 7 day Caribbean Cruise for women. I always use packing cubes to keep things organized, plus it makes it easy to pack and unpack.
- 10 pairs of underwear
- 4-7 pairs of socks
- 4 pairs of shorts (skorts)
- 4 t-shirts
- 2 polo shirts
- 2 button-down shirts
- 1 pair of jeans
- 1-2 pairs of leggings (for the gym or sea days)
- 1 sweater or cardigan or sweatshirt
- 3 sleepwear/pjs
- 1 blazer or jacket
- 1 dress or suit
- 1 pair of dress shoes
- 1 pair of sneakers
- 1 pair of flip flops
- 1 pair of water shoes
- 4 bathing suits
- 2 swim cover ups
- 1 sun hat or baseball cap
- 1 shawl or pashmina
- 1 evening bag or clutch bag
7 Day Caribbean Cruise Wardrobe for Men
Here is an example of what to pack for a 7 days Caribbean Cruise for men
- 10 pairs of underwear
- 4-7 pairs of socks
- 4 pairs of shorts
- 8 t-shirts/polo shirts/button down shirts
- 2 pairs of jeans/khaki pants
- 1 pair of shorts or sweatpants (for the gym or sea days)
- 1 sweaters or sweatshirts
- 3 sleepwear/pjs
- 1 suits or blazers
- 1 dress pants (match with blazers)
- 2 dress shirts
- 1 tie, belt and cufflinks
- 1 pair of dress shoes
- 1 pair of sneakers
- 1 pair of very comfortable walking shoes
- 1 pair of flip flops
- 1 pair of water shoes
- 4 bathing suits
- 1 hat or baseball cap
Cruise Travel Planner Printable
Get our comprehensive cruise travel planners to stay organized before and during your cruise. It includes pre-cruise and post-cruise itineraries, a cruise port planner, sea days planner, packing lists, cruise budget tracker and more!
- Caribbean Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
- Alaska Cruise Travel Planner (28 pages)
- Mediterranean Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
- Mexico Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
- Baltic Cruise Travel Planner (29 pages)
- British Isle Cruise Travel Planner (29 pages)
- Bermuda Cruise Travel Planner (29 pages)
- Bahamas Cruise Travel Planner (30 pages)
Cruise Travel Insurance
It’s smart to always buy cruise travel insurance. Get a quote for CFAR (Cancel for Any Reason) if you are going on a cruise during hurricane season.
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